They’re Just Children. But Many Are Fighting Battles No Child Should Face
"A 12-year-old girl making dinner every night because her mum is too unwell to get out of bed."
"A hungry 9-year-old boy who, with undiagnosed ADHD, is permanently excluded from school for disruptive behaviour."
"A teenager skipping class to care for a younger sibling because there’s no one else."
As a trustee of the OBEX Foundation, I see and hear how these daily hardships push children to the edge. Too many fall behind in school - not because they lack talent, but because life has overwhelmed them before they even had a chance. Some are excluded entirely from education and left without the structure or support they desperately need.
Without intervention, the path can become heartbreakingly predictable: unemployment, poverty, even crime. Not because they are bad kids, but because they were let down when it mattered most.
These are not distant stories. In our increasingly polarised world this is happening on our doorsteps, in our own communities. While many of us are fortunate to live in areas with warm homes and good schools, there are children just streets away facing struggles we can barely imagine. And they need us.
At OBEX, through our delivery partners like the Jason Robinson Foundation (JRF), we are actively working to change that in the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire region. In towns like Luton and Stevenage we’re funding programmes and initiatives to provide tailored support, so no child is left behind. But we need your support.
In September, I’ll be cycling over 350km with an elevation over 4,500m in just three days across Sardinia to raise vital funds for the JRF. Every kilometre will be tough - but nothing compared to the uphill battles these kids are fighting every day.
Last year, so many of you gave with amazing generosity. We raised over £35,000 and were able to introduce the JRF programme into 5 new schools. This year, we need you again. Our target is £50,000, and every penny goes directly to helping these children. Every rider is funding their own trip, so your donation goes exactly where it’s needed.
Whatever you can give will improve the lives of disadvantaged children through our school and community-based programmes offering training, events, life skills development, and access to positive role models.
Please, click the link below to donate and learn more about our challenge.
Thank you for helping to make a lasting difference for the disadvantaged children in our communities.
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